Method and system for job management

ABSTRACT

The disclosed is a method and system for storing a stencil for a job definition statement and data prescribing a user interface for job definition statement setup, generating data for executing a process for generating a job definition statement based on the contents set by a user via the user interface in accordance with the stencil for the job definition statement and the data prescribing the user interface for job definition statement setup, and generating a job definition statement by executing the process in accordance with the generated data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a method and system for jobmanagement within an information processing system, a program forexecuting job management, and a recording medium for storing such aprogram.

[0003] 1. Description of the Related Art

[0004] In an information processing system that comprises a computerserving as an information processing device, the jobs to be executed bythe computer are generally set by writing a job control language with aneditor or using a job setup tool. Some other systems use a GUI(Graphical User Interface) to perform job setup.

[0005] At the present time when the information technology is advanced,a professional, complicated technology is demanded for use in job setup.For job setup for an information processing system having a large-scale,complicated configuration, it is particularly demanded that job setup beperformed efficiency while considering how the CPU, memory, disk, backupdevice, and other resources are used. Meanwhile, for the definition of ajob network that executes a stream of coordinated jobs, an advancedtechnology is required for executing the jobs while smoothlycoordinating the jobs. Since increased workload is imposed on users,operators, and other job setup persons, a scheme for efficientlymanaging the jobs to be executed by a computer system is now called for.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a jobmanagement method, an information processing system, a program, and arecording medium.

[0007] Preferably, the present invention provides a job managementmethod for an information processing system, which includes aninformation processing device. The job management method of the presentinvention comprises the steps of storing a stencil for a job definitionstatement and data prescribing a user interface for job definitionstatement setup; generating data for executing the process forgenerating a job definition statement based on the contents set by auser via the user interface in accordance with the stencil for the jobdefinition statement and the data prescribing the user interface for jobdefinition statement setup; and generating the job definition statementby executing the process in accordance with the generated data.

[0008] The job definition statement is written, for instance, in apolicy definition XML file, which is described later. The stencil for ajob definition statement is written, for instance, in a policy templatedefinition XML file, which is described later. The data for prescribingthe user interface for job definition statement setup is, for instance,a wizard page, which is an element for policy template definition asdescribed later. A stencil for a wizard page is written in a policytemplate definition XML file, which is described later. The userinterface is, for instance, a setup guidance window (wizard window) thatis generated by a policy wizard GUI, which is described later, incompliance with the contents of the wizard page for policy templatedefinition. The user interface may be such a window or may be based onperception in any of the five senses including hearing.

[0009] In addition to a job definition statement stencil, the presentinvention provides a data which prescribes the user interface for jobdefinition statement setup. With such a data, it is possible toefficiently generate a user interface (e.g., setup guidance window(wizard window)) for letting a user, operator, or other similar persongenerate a job definition statement. The present invention also makes itpossible to offer a flexible user interface in accordance with theinformation processing system configuration, elements, user needs,applicable operations, and the like, thereby reducing the workload onusers, operators, and other job definition setup persons.

[0010] The other features and advantages of the present invention willbe apparent from the following detailed description and from theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 illustrates the hardware configuration of an informationprocessing system according one embodiment of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 2 illustrates the configuration and scheme of an informationprocessing system according one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 3 shows elements that are unique to an information processingsystem according one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 4 shows a DTD sample of a policy definition XML fileaccording one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 5 illustrates the structure of a policy template accordingone embodiment of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 6 shows major elements of a policy template according oneembodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 7 shows an example of a statement written in a policy stencilaccording one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 8 shows an example of a statement written in a policy stencilaccording one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 9 shows a DTD sample of a policy template definition XML fileaccording one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 10 is a PAD illustrating a process that a policy templateparser according one embodiment of the present invention performs inrelation to an import function.

[0021]FIG. 11 is a PAD illustrating a process that a policy wizard GUIaccording to one embodiment of the present invention performs togenerate a policy rule.

[0022]FIG. 12 is a PAD that illustrates a process concerning wizard pageelements according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 13 shows a concrete example of an information processingsystem to which a job management system is applied in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of amanagement server according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025]FIG. 1 illustrates the hardware configuration of an informationprocessing system, which will be described as one embodiment of thepresent invention. The information processing system includes a computer110, which comprises a CPU 111 and a memory 112, which includes a ROMand a RAM; a display or other display device 120; an input interface130, which includes a keyboard and a mouse; and a hard disk drive,CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM, or other external storage device 140. The computer110 may a mainframe computer, workstation, personal computer, or thelike. A UNIX (registered trademark) or other operating system runs onthe computer 110. Various application programs run on the operatingsystem. On the operating system, a Web server also runs to offer a Webpage on which a setup guidance window described later is written. Thedata stored in the external storage device 140 is managed on anindividual file basis by the functionality of a file system that belongsto the operating system.

[0026] In the present embodiment, a job is a unit of processing to beperformed by the computer 110 as viewed from a user of the computer 110.In the information processing system of the present embodiment, a jobmanagement system operates and provides an automatic job executionscheme. The job management system is implemented by a program that isexecuted by the computer 110. When used with a bank's on-line system,the job management system serves, for instance, as a batch processingsystem for performing transaction data totalization, analysis, databackup, and other operations. The job management system receives jobsetup instructions and conditions entered by a user, operator, or othersimilar person via the input interface 130, and executes a specified jobunder specified conditions. The conditions include conditions concerninga schedule for specifying the job execution date/time. As regards jobnetwork setup for executing a stream of a plurality of jobs, theconditions include those which are based on inter-job restrictions suchas the succeeding job execution conditions appropriate for the status ofa preceding job process execution (e.g., processing in progress orprocessing completed).

[0027]FIG. 2 illustrates the configuration and scheme of the jobmanagement system. The job management system provides a user interface220, which allows a user, operator, or other similar person to set a jobdefinition statement (hereinafter referred to as a policy rule). The jobmanagement system stores a policy rule, which is set by the userinterface, in the memory 112 of the computer 110 or in the externalstorage device 140 as a file in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format.An XML file in which a policy rule is written is hereinafter referred toas a policy definition XML file 210.

[0028] The above user interface 220 is implemented mainly by a functionof a policy wizard GUI 230 shown in FIG. 2. In a repository 240, whichis a database where various items of information about the jobmanagement system are registered and managed, a policy templatedefinition 250, which includes the model data for a policy rule and thedata stipulating the user interface 220, is registered.

[0029] In accordance with the policy template definition 250 registeredin the repository 240, the policy wizard GUI 230 generates a Web page onwhich a series of setup guidance windows (wizard windows) organized toprompt the user to set up a job definition statement are written, as theabove user interface 220, and then sequentially displays the generatedsetup guidance windows. The policy template definition 250 is the datathat is used to execute the process for generating a job definitionstatement in accordance with the contents set by the user via the userinterface 220. The policy wizard GUI 230 generates a policy rule byincorporating the contents, which are set by the user in accordance withthe setup guidance windows, into the model data for a policy rule.

[0030] The policy rule generated by the policy wizard GUI 230 isinterpreted by a policy execution engine 260 shown in FIG. 2 and thenregistered in the repository 240 as policy definitioninformation/execution time information (schedule information) 270. Thepolicy execution engine 260 exercises job execution control inaccordance with the policy definition information/execution timeinformation 270 registered in the repository 240.

[0031] A policy control GUI 280, which is shown in FIG. 2, is used by auser, operator, or other similar person as the GUI for managing therepository 240 and policy execution engine 260. The user, operator, orother similar person can use the policy control GUI 280, for instance,to reference, delete, validate, or invalidate a policy rule. The policycontrol GUI 280 enables the user, operator, or other similar person toexercise post-management over a previously set policy rule.

[0032] The above-mentioned policy template definition 250 is registeredin the repository 240 by a policy template parser 290 shown in FIG. 2. Apolicy template definition XML file 292, which is shown in FIG. 2, isreferenced when the policy template parser 290 registers the policytemplate definition 250 in the repository 240. In the policy templatedefinition XML file 292, a stencil for a job definition statement andthe data prescribing the user interface for job definition statementsetup are written in XML format. The stencil can be used for a pluralityof job definition statements and the data can be used for a plurality ofpolicy template definitions in a modified embodiment.

[0033] The user, operator, or other similar person delivers an editedpolicy template definition XML file 292 to the policy template parser290 when executing the policy template parser 290. This delivery ismade, for instance, by specifying the name of the policy templatedefinition XML file 292 as an argument for the command for executing thepolicy template parser 290. In accordance with the contents of thedelivered policy template definition XML file 292, the policy templateparser 290 generates a policy template definition 250 and registers itin the repository 240.

[0034] As described above, the policy template definition 250 can begenerated and registered in the repository 240 with high efficiency byediting the policy template definition XML file 292. Further, theefficiency with which the policy template definition 250 is generatedcan be enhanced because the policy template definition XML file 292,which contains a stencil for a job definition statement appropriate forthe policy rule to be generated and the data prescribing the userinterface for job definition statement setup, is available from thebeginning. Therefore, the information processing system administrator orother similar person can efficiently generate a user interface (e.g., awizard window or other setup guidance window) that permits the user,operator, or other similar person to generate a job definitionstatement.

[0035] When the above stencils are used for editing the policy templatedefinition XML file 292 as described above, the workload on the jobmanagement system administrator or other similar person can be reducedso that the policy template definition 250 can be generated with highefficiency. This advantage also makes it possible to offer various typesof user interfaces in a manner flexible enough to match the informationprocessing system configuration, elements, user needs, applicableoperations, and other conditions, thereby reducing the workload onusers, operators, and other job definition statement setup persons.

[0036] Policy Rule

[0037] As described above, the policy rule is managed as a policydefinition XML file 210, which is in XML format. When the policy rule ismanaged as an XML-formatted file in a manner described above, it ispossible, for instance, to easily exchange the policy rule with a remoteinformation processing system. As a result, existing assets possessed bya remote information processing system can be effectively used whilesupplying assets to such a remote information processing system.

[0038] Further, when XML is used as a descriptive syntax for writing thepolicy rule, it is possible to (1) easily grasp the relationship to awindow by noting the name of a tag, (2) assign a unique name to thecontents of information, (3) freely determine the correlation between atag and element, and make use of the other features proper to XML. Inaddition, future expandability can be provided by incorporating newlydefined XML specifications.

[0039] The descriptive syntax for the policy definition XML file 210basically conforms to that of XML. The job management system of thepresent embodiment, however, is capable of not only complying with thebasic descriptive syntax of XML but also interpreting various elementsand executing a corresponding process. Major elements unique to theinformation processing system are shown in FIG. 3. In this figure, thepolicy is a root element for the policy definition XML file 210. Thepolicy group is an element for grouping a policy group and a root policyrule described later. The root policy rule is an element for grouping apolicy condition and a policy action, which are described later, as wellas the above policy rule.

[0040] The policy wait event condition is an element that is writtenwhen an event is to be awaited. This element is used for writing anevent-driven policy. The policy schedule condition is an element that iswritten when a specified time is to be awaited. This element is writtenfor executing a policy command action, which is described later, at apredetermined time. The policy command result condition is an elementthat is written when the end of a policy command action is to beawaited. If the policy command action execution result is a specifiedvalue, the policy command action serving as a sibling element will beexecuted.

[0041] The policy rule validity period is an element that is written todefine the validity period of a root policy rule. The compound policyaction is an element for grouping policy actions. The policy commandaction is a command that is executed when a policy wait event condition,policy schedule condition, policy command result condition, or othercondition defined as a sibling element is established.

[0042] In the policy definition XML file 210, a global environmentvariable can be defined. The global environment variable can be commonlyreferenced by all policy command actions that are written as lower-levelelements for a certain root policy rule. In an information processingsystem containing a plurality of computers, the computer executing apolicy command action is not always the same. The global environmentvariable is useful if the variable to be commonly referenced by allpolicy command actions is to be provided in situations where a jobtargeted for a plurality of computers is set. Each policy command actioncan set an initial value for the global environment variable. Theinitial value for the global environment variable can also be set for apolicy group and a root policy rule.

[0043] In the policy definition XML file 210, the elements describedabove are written in compliance with the XML syntax. In other words, thepolicy wizard GUI generates the policy definition XML file 210 byincorporating the contents, which are set by the user, operator, orother similar person in relation to the user interface 220, into themodel data for the above policy rule contained in the policy templatedefinition in accordance with the policy template definition registeredin the repository 240. FIG. 4 shows a typical DTD (Document TypeDefinition) section as an example of the generated policy definition XMLfile 210.

[0044] Policy Template Definition

[0045] As described above, the policy template definition 250 is adescription of the model data for a policy rule and the data prescribingthe above user interface 220. The policy template definition 250contains the above setup guidance windows, which the policy wizard GUI230 displays for policy rule setup, as well as the information servingas a model for the policy definition XML file 210 that is to begenerated.

[0046]FIG. 5 illustrates the structure of a policy template definition250. FIG. 6 shows major elements of the policy template definition 50.In FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, the policy template set is a root element for allelements. The policy template group is an element for grouping policytemplates. The policy template group can be written in a nested form.The policy template group plays a role similar to that of the filesystem's folder (directory). The policy template is an element forformulating various definitions for generating a policy rule.

[0047] The policy stencil is an element that defines the model of apolicy rule (policy definition XML file). A statement can be written onthe policy stencil. For example, it is possible to write a statement forexercising control so that the description between the start statementand end statement will be written into the policy definition XML file210 as a valid description if the expression is true and will not bewritten if the expression is false. An example of such a statement isshown in FIG. 7 (the statement in this figure is a command named“@Validf”). It is also possible, for instance, to sequentiallysubstitute list elements into a variable and write a statement forexercising control so as to repeatedly write the description between thestart and end statements concerning each element into the policydefinition XML file 210. An example of such a statement is shown in FIG.8 (the statement in this figure is a command named “@ForEach”).

[0048] The wizard page is an element for defining a setup guidancewindow (wizard window). Each wizard page corresponds to one page of awizard window (a single Web page). On the wizard page, it is possible towrite control data for specifying whether or not to displayuser-definable options in the wizard window. It is also possible towrite control data for specifying whether or not to display a setupguidance window that can open subsequently to a preceding setup guidancewindow depending on a user response to the preceding setup guidancewindow.

[0049] For one wizard page, one or more parameter setup controls can bedefined. Each parameter setup control is an element for finalizing apolicy template variable (value substitution). One parameter setupcontrol finalizes one policy template variable. Three differentparameter setup controls are available: Text Line, Text Area, and SelectItem. The Text Line control is used for specifying one character stringline. The Text Area control is used for specifying a plurality ofcharacter string lines. The Select Item control is used for displaying aplurality of items and selecting a specific item from them. The policytemplate variable is a variable that is declared for a policy template.The method for finalizing its value is defined by a parameter setupcontrol within a wizard page, and the value is referenced within apolicy stencil or wizard page. The resource type is an element fordefining which resource can be associated with a policy template.

[0050] Policy Template Definition XML File, etc.

[0051] As described above, the policy template definition XML file 292is a file in which the data for generating a policy template definition250 is written in XML format. The policy template definition XML file292 contains an XML statement, which is in the form of a policy stencilto serve as a stencil for the above policy definition XML file 210. Thedata prescribing the above wizard page within the above policy templatedefinition 250 is written in XML format together with the stencil for ajob definition statement. FIG. 9 shows a typical DTD section as anexample of the policy template definition XML file 292.

[0052] The policy template parser 290 interprets an entered policytemplate definition XML file 292 in order to register a policy templatedefinition 250 conforming to the policy template definition XML file 292in the repository 240. For example, the policy template parser 290 isimplemented within the information processing system as a Java(registered trademark) class. Further, the policy template parser 290offers a CLI (Command Line Interface) function as needed so that it canbe started up from the command line.

[0053] The import function of the policy template parser 290 will now bedescribed. The policy template parser 290 exercises its import functionfor the purpose of registering a policy template definition 250 in therepository 240 in accordance with the policy template definition XMLfile 292. When, for instance, the input interface 130 issues aninstruction for executing the import function, the policy templateparser 290 reads and interprets the policy template definition XML file292. When there is no problem with the result of interpretation, thepolicy template parser 290 registers in the repository 240 a policytemplate definition 250 that is generated in accordance with the policytemplate definition XML file 292.

[0054]FIG. 10 is a PAD (Problem Analysis Diagram) illustrating a processthat the policy template parser 290 performs in relation to the importfunction. When an instruction for executing the import function, thepolicy template parser 290 first clears a variable, sets an initialvalue, and performs other initial processing operations (step S1011).The policy template parser 290 also analyzes an argument that isincidentally specified for the instruction for import function execution(step S1012). Next, the policy template parser 290 views the contents ofthe repository 240 (step S1013) to check for a problem such as aninconsistency between the contents of the repository 240 and argument(step S1014). If any problem is found, the policy template parser 290aborts the current process and then performs exception handling (stepS1015). If no problem is found, on the other hand, the policy templateparser 290 analyzes the contents of the policy template definition XMLfile 292 corresponding to the file name specified as an argument, andregisters in the repository 240 a policy template definition 250 thatcorresponds to the policy template definition XML file 292 (step S1016).The process concerning the import function is then completed (stepS1017).

[0055] The policy template parser 290 for the job management system ofthe present embodiment has various other functions in addition to theabove import function, including an export function for generating apolicy template definition XML file 292 in accordance with a policytemplate definition 250 registered in the repository 240 and a functionfor deleting a policy template definition 250 registered in therepository 240.

[0056] Policy Rule Setup

[0057] The user, operator, or other similar person creates a policy rulein accordance with setup guidance windows displayed by the policy wizardGUI 230. FIG. 11 is a PAD illustrating a process that the policy wizardGUI 230 performs to generate a policy rule. The policy wizard GUI 230first clears a variable, sets an initial value, and performs otherinitial processing operations (S1111), then analyzes an argument that isincidentally specified for the instruction for import function execution(S1112). Next, the policy wizard GUI 230 views the repository 240(S1113) to check for a problem such as an inconsistency between thecontents of the repository 240 and argument (S1114). If any problem isfound, the policy wizard GUI 230 aborts the current process and thenperforms exception handling (S1115). Next, the policy wizard GUI 230reads a policy template element attribute, policy template variableelement attribute, and policy stencil element value from the repository240 (S1116-S1118). Subsequently, the policy wizard GUI 230 initiates aprocess for all wizard page elements contained in the policy templatedefinition 250 (S1119).

[0058]FIG. 12 is a PAD that illustrates a process concerning wizard pageelements. The policy wizard GUI 230 first reads the attribute of awizard element from the repository 240 (S1211). In this instance, thepolicy wizard GUI 230 also evaluates the policy template variable. Next,the policy wizard GUI 230 checks whether the page should be skipped(skip rule evaluation in the figure) (S1212). If the page should beskipped (S1213), the policy wizard GUI 230 terminates the wizard pageelement process (S1214). If there is the next wizard page element to beprocessed, the policy wizard GUI 230 starts the process for it. If thereis no more wizard element to be processed, the policy wizard GUI 230proceeds to perform processing step S1220.

[0059] In processing step S1215, the policy wizard GUI 230 starts aprocess for the parameter setup controls contained in an element of thewizard page. The policy wizard GUI 230 first reads the attribute of aparameter setup control from the repository 240. In this case, thepolicy wizard GUI 230 also evaluates the policy template variable. Theparameter setup control mentioned here is “TextLine,” “TextArea,” or“SelectItem.” If there is a child element for the parameter setupcontrol, the policy wizard GUI 230 reads and evaluates its attribute. Inthis instance, the policy wizard GUI 230 also evaluates the policytemplate variable (S1217).

[0060] In the next processing step (S1218), a setup guidance window(wizard window) appears on the display device 120 in accordance with theread attribute and other data. The user performs setup in relation tothis setup guidance window. Upon completion of setup, the user clicksthe Next button or performs some other operating step to switch to thenext window (S1219). Although the description of the present embodimentassumes a relatively simple user operation, the contents of the setupguidance windows to be displayed and their display method are notlimited to those described herein.

[0061] When all the wizard page elements are completely processed(S1200) as a result of processing depicted in FIG. 11 (S1119), thepolicy wizard GUI 230 opens a parameter confirmation window (S1120). Theuser, operator, or other similar person confirms the parameters, sets apolicy rule, and performs other setup operations from the parameterconfirmation window, which is opened by a setup guidance window, andclicks the Finish button if there is no problem (S1121). Next, thepolicy wizard GUI 230 substitutes the value of the policy templatevariable into the policy stencil (S1122). Further, the policy wizard GUI230 evaluates a policy stencil control statement to complete the policyrule (S1123).

[0062] The completed policy rule is output as a policy definition XMLfile 210 and delivered to the policy execution engine 260 (S1124). Thisdelivery is made by the functionality of a policy parser, which is notshown. The policy parser interprets the completed policy definition XMLfile 210 to generate a policy rule instance and then registers it in thepolicy execution engine 260. Upon completion of the above process, thepolicy wizard GUI 230 opens a policy rule generation completion window(S1125) and terminates a policy rule (policy definition XML file)generation process (S1126).

[0063] If a plurality of policy template definitions 250 are registeredin the repository 240, the process illustrated in FIG. 11 is performedfor each policy template definition 250. In situations where a pluralityof policy template definitions 250 are registered in the repository 240,setup guidance windows appropriate for individual policy templatedefinitions 250 are offered.

[0064] Preferable Application

[0065] A preferable application of an information processing system inwhich the above job management system operates will now be described.The FIG. 13 illustrates an information processing system that functionsas a typical storage system, which is operated, for instance, at acorporation's system center or a privately/publicly managed data center.In this storage system, a program for implementing the job managementsystem runs on a management server 1320. The management server 1320 is acomputer for servicing, operating, managing, or otherwise handling thestorage system. The management server 1320 is used, for instance, toperform setup for making a storage device 1300 available to an operationserver 1310, set up a SAN, set the operation server 1310 to execute abatch process, and perform a process for allowing a tape device 1390 tostore a data backup that is stored in the storage device 1300.

[0066] When a job to be performed by various devices within theinformation processing system in relation to the job management systemrunning on the management server 1320 is defined as a policy rule by theoperator or other similar person, the management server 1320 executes acommand for controlling the various devices so that the various devicesperform processes in compliance with the policy rule. If, for instance,the operator or other similar person sets a policy rule for making abackup at a preselected time, the management server 1320 executes acommand for controlling a logical volume 1360, which will be describedlater, as well as the tape device 1390 so as to ensure that a processwill be performed in compliance with the policy rule.

[0067] The management server (information processing device) 1320 isconnected to the operation server 1310, FC-SW1 1350, the storage device1300, and the tape device 1390 via a management LAN 1341.

[0068]FIG. 14 illustrates the configuration of the management server1320. The management server 1320 comprises a CPU 1410, a memory 1411, aLAN interface 1412, a recording media reader 1420, an input device 1425,an output device 1426, and a storage device 1430. The recording mediareader 1420 is a device for reading a program or data that is recordedon a recording medium 1421. For example, a program 1450 for implementingthe above job management system, which is recorded on the recordingmedium 1421, can read from the recording medium 1421 by the recordingmedia reader 1420 and stored in the memory 1411 or the storage device1430. As the recording medium 1421, a flexible disk, CB-ROM, DVD-ROM,semiconductor memory, or other similar medium can be used.

[0069] As the storage device 1430, a hard disk drive, flexible diskdrive, semiconductor memory, or other similar device can be used. Theinput device 1425 is used, for instance, when the user, operator, orother similar person enters data into the management server 1320. As theinput device 1425, a keyboard, mouse, or other similar device can beused. As the output device 1426, a display, printer, or other similardevice can be used. The LAN interface 1412 is a device for communicatingwith the operation server 1310, FC-SW1 1350, the storage device 1300, orthe tape device 1390.

[0070] An operation client 1315 is connected to the operation server1310 via a backbone LAN (Local Area Network) 1340. The operation server1310 and the operation client 1315 are both computers that are equipped,for instance, with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and aninput/output device. Therefore, the operation client 1315 can receivevarious services that are offered by the operation server 1310.

[0071] The services offered by the operation server 1310 include, forinstance, on-line services such as a bank's automated teller service andInternet homepage browsing service, and a batch processing service fortechnological experiment simulations.

[0072] The operation server 1310 is connected to the storage device 1300and the tape device (backup device) 1390 via FC-SW1 (Fibre ChannelSwitch 1, network device) 1350. FC-SW1 1350 is a switch for establishinga SAN (Storage Area Network) connection among the operation server 1310,the storage device 1300, and the tape device 1390.

[0073] The storage device 1300 supplies a storage resource as neededwhen the operation server 1310 offers an information processing serviceto the operation client 1315. For example, a disk array device can beused as the storage device 1300. The storage resource is supplied as alogical volume 1360. The logical volume 1360 is a storage area that islogically set within a physical storage region, which is provided by adisk drive incorporated in the storage device 1300. As the disk drive, ahard disk drive, flexible disk drive, semiconductor memory, or othersimilar device can be used. The disk drive may be managed as a RAID(Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) managed.

[0074] The present invention has been described with reference to apreferred embodiment. The present embodiment is considered in allrespects to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Therefore, the presentinvention is not limited to a particular embodiment, but extends tovarious modifications that nevertheless fall within the scope of theappended claims or the equivalence thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A job management method for an informationprocessing system that includes an information processing device, thejob management method comprising the steps of: storing a stencil for ajob definition statement and data prescribing a user interface for jobdefinition statement setup; generating data for executing the processfor generating a job definition statement based on the contents set by auser via the user interface in accordance with the stencil for the jobdefinition statement and the data prescribing the user interface for jobdefinition statement setup; and generating the job definition statementby executing the process in accordance with the generated data.
 2. Thejob management method according to claim 1, wherein the stencil for thejob definition statement is written in XML format.
 3. The job managementmethod according to claim 2, wherein the data prescribing the userinterface for setting the job definition statement is written in XMLformat and positioned in the file in which the stencil for the jobdefinition statement is written.
 4. The job management method accordingto claim 1, wherein the user interface is capable of opening a window,which is organized to prompt a user for setup, in order to prompt theuser to set the job definition statement.
 5. The job management methodaccording to claim 4, wherein the data prescribing the user interfacefor setting the job definition statement contains control data forspecifying whether the window should display user-definable options. 6.The job management method according to claim 4, wherein the dataprescribing the user interface for setting the job definition statementcontains control data for specifying whether or not to display a windowthat can open subsequently to a preceding window depending on a userresponse to the preceding window.
 7. The job management method accordingto claim 1, wherein the stencil for the job definition statementcontains, in accordance with a user selection made via the userinterface, a definition statement for invalidating a specificdescription written in the stencil.
 8. The job management methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the stencil for the job definitionstatement contains, in accordance with a user selection made via theuser interface, a definition statement issuing an instruction forgenerating a job definition statement in which a specific descriptionwritten in the stencil is repeatedly written.
 9. The job managementmethod according to claim 1, wherein the job definition statementcontains a definition statement for setting a job network that executesa stream of a plurality of jobs.
 10. An information processing system,comprising: means for storing a stencil for a job definition statementand data prescribing a user interface for job definition statementsetup; means for generating data for executing a process for generatinga job definition statement based on the contents set by a user via theuser interface in accordance with the stencil for the job definitionstatement and the data prescribing the user interface for setting thejob definition statement; and means for generating the job definitionstatement by executing the process in accordance with the generateddata.
 11. The information processing system according to claim 10,further comprising means for importing or exporting the stencil for thejob definition statement that is managed as data in file form.
 12. Aprogram for enabling an information processing system, which comprisesan information processing device, to exercise a function for storing astencil for a job definition statement and for data prescribing a userinterface for job definition statement setup; a function for generatingdata for executing a process for generating a job definition statementbased on the contents set by a user via the user interface in accordancewith the stencil for the job definition statement and the dataprescribing the user interface for setting the job definition statement;and a function for generating the job definition statement by executingthe process in accordance with the generated data.
 13. A program forenabling an information processing system to exercise a function forgenerating data for executing a process for generating a job definitionstatement based on the contents set by a user via the user interface inaccordance with a stencil for the job definition statement and dataprescribing a user interface for job definition statement setup.
 14. Aprogram for enabling an information processing device in an informationprocessing system; which comprises means for storing a stencil for a jobdefinition statement and data prescribing a user interface for jobdefinition statement setup and means for generating data for executing aprocess for generating a job definition statement based on the contentsset by a user via the user interface in accordance with the stencil forthe job definition statement and the data prescribing the user interfacefor setting the job definition statement; to implement the userinterface in accordance with the generated data and exercise a functionfor generating the job definition statement.
 15. A recording medium onwhich the program according to claim 12 is recorded.
 16. A storagesystem which includes a storage device for storing data for use in anoperation server and a management server for managing the operation ofthe storage device, defining the job targeted for execution as a policyrule, and executing a process in compliance with the policy rule, thestorage system comprising: a storage section for storing the informationabout data concerning the policy rule and data prescribing a userinterface for setting the policy rule; means for reading the elementattribute information about a policy rule from the storage section,processing an element of a wizard page defining a guidance window forpolicy setup, and generating a wizard window; means for entering policyrule setup information via the user interface in compliance with aninstruction displayed by the generated window; and means for generatinga policy rule in accordance with the information set via the userinterface.
 17. The storage system according to claim 16, wherein thepolicy rule set via the user interface is stored in XML format in thestorage section.
 18. The storage system according to claim 16, wherein apolicy template defining data for executing a policy rule generationprocess in accordance with the contents set by a user via the userinterface contains the information about a policy guidance windowserving as the user interface and the information about a generatedpolicy definition XML file.
 19. The storage system according to claim16, wherein the policy rule generated by the means for generating apolicy rule is delivered to a policy execution engine and registered.20. The storage system according to claim 16, wherein the storagesection stores beforehand the information about instances of dataconcerning the policy rule and the information about instances of dataprescribing a user interface for setting the policy rule.